by Sarah Ash
***
“Empress Ayaka?” The palace chamberlain appeared, evidently flustered. “We were not expecting you. What brings you to the emperor’s apartments?”
“I merely wanted to leave a little gift for the emperor.” Ayaka was beginning to realize – far too late – that her plan to surprise her husband had misfired. “Just some sweets.”
“His imperial majesty is currently at the Bureau of Divination. You could wait for him in his antechambers, if you like. May we serve you some refreshments?”
Feeling increasingly awkward, Ayaka was determined that she would see her mission through and placed the little box of washagi she had brought on a little table. But as she settled herself on the rich silk cushions of gold and purple silk, she realized that though it might be acceptable for the emperor to call on a favored lady, it seemed that it was definitely not done for a lady to return the favor – even when she was his empress.
If I had a say in the way things are done around the palace, I would put an end to such old-fashioned customs. Everything is far too formal. And yet if I dare to criticize anything, Lady Saisho will say, “That’s the way it’s always been done; it’s tradition.”
“What are you doing here, Empress?” demanded a haughty voice.
Ayaka started. Looking up, she saw Lady Saisho advancing, the chamberlain trotting behind her.
“It’s the custom of the imperial court for the emperor to visit his consort in her own apartments,” said Lady Saisho in tones of ice. “The first wife should always know her place. Let me accompany you back before someone sees you and starts to gossip.”
***
“Ayaka,” said her mother in mortified tones, “it’s just not done for a young woman to go wandering around the palace alone, let alone the first consort. If you were seen conversing with one of the court noblemen, it could so easily be misconstrued.”
“So I can’t even ask one of the palace noblemen for directions without some court gossip assuming that we’re having an affair?”
“Precisely so. If you keep to your state apartments, then no one can cast unfortunate aspersions and the chamberlain and other noblemen can attend on you in the approved way. Court protocol, Ayaka, is extremely complex.”
Ayaka sighed in exasperation. “Then that means I’m nothing more than a prisoner? And Lady Saisho is my jailer.”
“Must you always see everything in such a melodramatic light? Lady Saisho has been appointed to protect you, not act as your jailer. Because you are now the woman with the highest rank in all Cipangu. Even I have to bow to you, my own daughter! You know what your father always says: With a position of such eminence comes great responsibility.”
Chapter 10
Naoki reined his horse to a standstill so that he could turn round to gaze back across the plain. The paddies stretched into the far distance, a blur of green stalks and glistening muddy water.
The rice grains were swelling fast and as soon as the late summer’s sultry heat began to fade, the harvesting would begin. The only sound, apart from the tramp of his retainers’ feet, was the constant chirring of the cicadas and the swish of the breeze stirring the leaves of the rice, so that the feathery stalks looked like wave upon rippling wave of a green sea.
The night my father went to challenge Lord Morimitsu, he must have followed this very same route.
“But it wasn’t the Cranes who set fire to our castle, Father,” he murmured, lifting his hot face to the cooling breeze. “It was Kurika.” Try as he might he could not stop thinking of his last exchange with Masao. “Why do you defend Hotaru? He’s used you. He’s lied to you. You’re as much bound to him as Kurika is. He’s made you his mortal shikigami.”
The accusation still rankled. Even if what Masao had said was true, hadn’t his allegiance to Hotaru liberated the Red Kites from their long years of exile and dishonor? He realized that his hand had moved instinctively to grip the hilt of his half-brother’s katana, his last connection with Masao.
“Do you want to break the journey, my lord?” Raiko’s voice cut through his thoughts, sharp as a kunai-slash. He glanced up and saw that all the other retainers had come to a halt behind, and were staring expectantly at him, foot soldiers and standard bearers, as well as his mounted retinue. Only Yūgiri’s head was turned in the opposite direction, gazing out toward the distant blue sheen of the sea that could just be glimpsed beyond the edge of the plain.
Has he sensed the Tide Dragons? There was something so still, so intense about the shaman’s posture that made Naoki certain Yūgiri had picked up a trace of Ebb or Flood. Better pretend I haven’t noticed anything. Especially with keen-eyed Raiko at my side.
“We’ll stop when we reach the foothills of Mount Sakuranbo.”
One of the peasants working in the paddy fields came splashing toward them and bowed. “It’s very hot today. Would your lordships like some barley tea?”
Naoki gave a curt nod of acceptance and the farmer beckoned to his fellow workers to approach. Soon the women were moving amongst the column, pouring the cooling cloudy liquid as the Kites gratefully held out their tea bowls.
“Why did we have to come this way, my lord?” Raiko asked, gulping down the cold tea. “Why not by sea? I heard that our men at Kurozuro have patched up the damaged ships and sailed for Akatobi Island.”
Naoki sighed. “Yes, you heard right.” Since Raiko had taken Masao’s place as his retainer, he had become insufferable, constantly strutting around, interfering and trying to act older than his seventeen years. “But then the Minister of the Right insisted that all the remaining Kites should leave the island, so they’re being used to ferry our people to the mainland.”
“So we have no reinforcements left at Kurozuro at all?” Chikaaki, the Kites’ most experienced shinobi, had been following their exchange.
“Even Yūgiri’s father has set sail, with the last of the wounded.” Naoki glanced at Yūgiri but the shaman did not show the slightest flicker of interest in the news.
“Then, with your approval, my lord, I think it would be prudent if we go on ahead and assess the situation at the castle.” Chikaaki beckoned to two of his men. “We could be walking into a trap.”
“Very well.” Although as Naoki watched them until they disappeared into the heat-hazed distance, he couldn’t help wishing – and not for the first time – that the emperor had sent him to oversee the rebuilding of Akatobi Castle, instead of assigning him this sensitive and difficult mission.
***
When dusk fell, the Kites made camp below the mountain. Bird-like shadows swooped down through the twilight as Chikaaki and his two shinobi soundlessly returned from their reconnaissance.
“There are still Crane servants living in the castle compound, my lord.” As Chikaaki gave his report, the dark feathery stains of the Kite Shadow faded from his scarred face. “Mostly women and children. We spotted a few walking wounded as well; probably casualties from the siege who were too ill to accompany Lord Takeru into exile.”
“I see.” This was better than Naoki had anticipated. “So, with any luck, we shouldn’t encounter too much in the way of opposition?”
Chikaaki’s eyes glinted in the firelight. “We must remain on our guard at all times.”
As Naoki lay back on the mossy ground, he stared up at the faint glitter of the stars beyond the dark tree branches overhead, relishing the freshness of the night air after the day’s sultry heat.
It’s only a few weeks since I was the Black Cranes’ hostage, locked in a stinking dungeon cell…but in that time, as the rice has ripened, our fortunes have been reversed. Now they’re the exiles and their castle is forfeit to us.
***
All morning, Sakami had been troubled by an unsettling feeling. She had checked the sky for signs of rain – but there was hardly a cloud to be seen. She and Honou had been hard at work, clearing weeds from the ruins of the mountain Inari shrine. But as the midday heat grew more oppressive, Honou started to yawn and stretch.
“I’m sleepy,” he said. “I’m going to take a nap. Wake me when the sun goes down.” And before she could protest, he turned back into his fox form and curled up in the shade beneath one of the lichened statues of the fox guardians.
“Lazy!” Sakami turned away and labored on a little longer on her own before the film of sticky sweat dampening her neck and underarms made her start to droop. She looked at Honou, camouflaged by the sun-bleached grasses, smiling in his sleep, his paws twitching slightly as he dreamed.
“Just a little snooze can’t hurt. . .” She concentrated hard, closing her eyes and clenching her fists, willing herself back into her kitsune form. On the third try, she felt herself dwindling, shrinking swiftly toward the ground. I suppose I’ll get the knack of it one day, she told herself, settling down beside Honou, then getting up, turning around a few times to make herself comfortable, just because it felt right to do so.
***
“Sakami.” Honou was prodding her with one paw. “Are you thirsty? Let’s go and get a drink.”
Sakami nodded drowsily and followed him as he led the way down toward the mountain stream. After a drink, she felt a little more awake. Jeweled dragonflies were darting close to the cool water and Honou leapt up to try and catch one, nearly falling in.
Sakami laughed. “Silly Honou,” she said. “You’re really still a cub, aren’t you?”
A waft of a strange, unfamiliar smell suddenly tinged the sultry warmth of the summer air.
“Trespassers on the mountain.” she said.
“Horses,” Honou wrinkled up his nose. “And where there are horses, there are riders.”
“Strangers.”
“Let’s go see.” Honou bounded off into the undergrowth but she lingered behind. A moment later he came bounding back, eyes glinting with annoyance. “Come on! What are you waiting for?”
Danger. I smell danger.
As she crept onward, she heard the sound of hooves on the stony track and the tramp of feet. Soon they caught sight of men on horseback leading a column of foot soldiers down toward the castle.
“They can’t see us here,” Honou said, nodding to her from a big clump of ferns, “but we can see them.”
Sakami tried to force herself to move forward, one paw at a time. But her body had gone rigid with fear.
I know that man. He’s the one who attacked me. He’s dangerous.
“Honou,” she hissed, “that’s Lord Naoki. He can make fiery arrows, like feathers, and strike you down just with a flick of his fingers. Don’t take any risks. Please.”
“Oh, Sakami,” Honou sidled up to her and rubbed his head against hers seductively, “does that mean you care for me after all? That you’re worried for my safety?”
She bared her teeth at him, a low warning growl issuing from her throat. “Do young dog foxes think of nothing else?”
Honou let out a plaintive little whine. “You’re so cold, Sakami. Why do you keep rejecting me?”
“There’s no time for flirting now.”
“Don’t forget that we’re kitsune. His fire feathers can never harm you again.”
“But why has Lord Naoki come back?” Sakami set off, keeping to the undergrowth. “This doesn’t bode well for us…or for the mountain.”
***
A single ragged Black Crane standard still fluttered defiantly above the ruined main gate to Kurozuro castle.
As Naoki rode into the courtyard, an arrow whistled past his head, so close it almost grazed his cheek, and embedded itself with a thwack in the timber frame just behind him. Startled, he glanced up, seeking the source.
“Take cover, my lord!” Raiko yelled, somewhat belatedly.
“Who dares to trespass on the Black Cranes’ domain?” A voice rang out, challenging them. “Identify yourselves!”
Naoki saw that a lone archer was confronting them from the first floor window of the main house, aiming his second arrow directly at him.
Chikaaki and his two shinobi sped off, a two-pronged attack, ready to converge on their target.
“How dare you open fire on the new master of this castle!” Raiko shouted back. He beckoned the standard bearers forward; they marched forward and planted their standards in the ground on either side of Naoki.
“Red Kites?” The challenger’s voice wavered, although he didn’t lower his bow.
Naoki reached into his saddle bag and drew out the emperor’s decree. Holding it aloft, so that the heavy imperial seal could clearly be seen, he announced, “I am Akatobi no Naoki. The emperor has named me lord of this castle and the surrounding lands that once belonged to the Black Cranes. I am your new master.”
As the sound of his voice echoed around the empty courtyard, he saw a flicker of shadow behind the archer. Chikaaki and his men pounced, seizing the archer from behind and wrenching the bow and sharp-barbed arrow from his grip.
Naoki heard him let out a yelp of pain as they wrestled him to the platform floor, out of his sight.
“Does anyone else here wish to challenge the emperor’s decree?” he asked, gazing around the deserted courtyard. Even though no one stirred, he was aware that they were being watched.
“Lay down your weapons,” Raiko ordered, “and come out where we can see you.”
He sounds just like his father, Okitane, Naoki thought wryly, amused, in spite of the tension of the situation, to see Raiko so desperate to prove himself.
“Do as you’re ordered and no one will be harmed,” Naoki added, still holding the emperor’s decree aloft.
“Everyone is to assemble out here.” Raiko dismounted and went striding around the courtyard officiously. “Even the children.”
Slowly, warily, the people of Kurozuro began to emerge from their hiding places. As Naoki had suspected, they were mostly villagers: women carrying babies, and old men leading grandchildren. Naginata were placed in a pile in front of Naoki; a couple of men came forward with bows and quivers of arrows.
“Is that all?” Raiko demanded from the far side of the courtyard. He had stopped in front of a building that stood apart from the main castle. “What’s in here?” He kicked the door open and disappeared inside. The Black Kite women glanced nervously from one to another.
“Idiot,” Naoki muttered under his breath. “Cover him,” he said wearily to the foot soldiers.
“There are wounded men in here!” Raiko called back, reappearing.
“Who’s in charge?” Naoki scanned the silent little throng. No one answered; a few shuffled their feet nervously. A baby started to cry.
Since they entered the castle compound, Yūgiri had stayed silent and unresponsive. Naoki had the distinct feeling that he was concentrating on something that no one else present was aware of.
“Well, Yūgiri? What can you sense?” he asked quietly.
Yūgiri jumped, as if he had been jolted out of a trance. He looked round at Naoki, his blood-tainted eyes wide with surprise, and said a single word.
“Kitsune.”
Chapter 11
By the time Sakami and Honou reached the castle compound, the sun was setting. No cooking fire burned in the kitchen. Two girls were scrubbing cooking pots, heads glumly bent over their work, one with her hair braided in a single pigtail, the other sporting two plaits.
“Mai?” Sakami greeted the twins cautiously, not sure what kind of reception she would receive.“Mami?”
The twins looked up from their labor, Mami wiping a smear of grease from her cheek with the back of her hand.
“Honou?” Mai let out a squeal of delight and came running over as Honou popped his head around the doorway, grinning. She caught hold of him by the hand and tugged him into the kitchen.
“You can hug me too, girls,” he said. “Come on; don’t be shy.”
And before Sakami could object, both twins flung their arms about his waist. Sakami, disgusted by the jubilant glint in his eyes, turned away, tapping her foot impatiently.
“You saw the Red Kites banners flying from the gatehouse?�
�� Mai said, disentangling herself. “The emperor has given them the castle. Lord Naoki is now our new master.” She pulled a face.
“And where’s Shun?”
Mai glanced at Mami. “Shun was on guard duty when the Kites arrived. He…” she hesitated.
Sakami’s heart skipped a beat. “Go on.”
“He shot at Lord Naoki. So they arrested him and put him in the dungeon.”
“He did what?”
“There are so few able-bodied men left behind to guard the castle.”
“Able-bodied?” Sakami let out a snort. “After that poisoned arrow-wound?”
“Perhaps the poison affected his brains,” said Mami snidely.
“How can we get Shun out of the dungeon? He won’t last more than a few days down there in his weakened state. He could barely stand unsupported when I left the castle. I –”
A shadow fell across the doorway. Glancing up, Sakami saw a young man in the scarlet livery of the Red Kites.
“Lord Naoki is hungry,” he said. “This is a kitchen, isn’t it? Prepare him some food.”
Sakami gaped. The arrogance of his tone took her breath away.
“You prepared food for the main house before, didn’t you?” He leaned back against the doorway, arms folded. “And the garrison? Then get to work.”
Mai found her voice first. “We’ve been under siege, my lord. Our supplies have run low.”
He shrugged. “Your problem, not mine.” It was obvious that he was going to wait and ensure that his master’s food was properly prepared.
“We’ll help,” Sakami said, rolling up her sleeves. “Honou – get the fire started.”
“Why me?” Honou put on his plaintive, sulky face.
“Because there’s no one else to do it.”
“And when the fire’s going, you can fetch us some water from the well.” Mai stood on tiptoe and gave him a kiss.
Sakami saw Honou blush – then he drew himself up to his full height and went out to the woodpile with a lazy swagger.